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Questions tagged [names]

Topics related to given names, surnames, and linguistic aspects of naming in English.

528 questions
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Changes in English names of people

Why is Robert called Bob and John called Jack sometimes? What is the history of or reason for this practice in changing the English names of people?
user2683
30
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2 answers

Why is there a "riding" in "Little Red Riding Hood"?

I get the little, the red and the hood... but how does the riding fit in there?
Melken Osterhose
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26
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3 answers

What do you call this mechanical device?

This device usually consists of sequences of different objects, one triggering the action of the next. For example, several domino tiles placed upright. The first one falls and that makes all the others fall down too. The last tile releases an iron…
Centaurus
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19
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2 answers

What do you call a daughter with the same name as her mother?

What do you call a daughter with the same name as her mother? Is there a female equivalent for 'junior' in the english language?
DiverseAndRemote.com
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17
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4 answers

If Christopher is a "carrier of Christ" then what is Jennifer carrying?

I was told in a Latin class that the name Christopher has Greek roots that mean "one who carries Christ". I assume that the Latin connection here is fero, which is the verb to carry. With that in mind, does the name Jennifer have a similar…
gbutters
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17
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4 answers

Is there an English word for a person who shares your name?

In Sweden, if your name is Sven Andersson and there is a person of interest (for any reason) that has the same name as you, there is a slightly affectionate word you can use where you say that this person (that you often don't know at all) is your…
pzkpfw
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12
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9 answers

How can I best indicate in an obituary that a middle name was the preferred name?

I have seen several suggestions on ways to indicate a person's middle name was preferred over their first name: Firstname "Middlename" Surname Firstname Middlename "Middlename" Surname Firstname Middlename Surname, aka Middlename Is there any…
Susan
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9
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4 answers

What will the third parent be called?

Legislation seems likely to pass, enabling Britain to be the first country to offer 'three-parent births' (two mothers and one father) to overcome genetic defects associated by faults in mitochondria. This will involve replacement of part of an egg…
WS2
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8
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3 answers

Why is the letter J so common in names of people who go by their initials?

I've met a number of people who use their initials as a name. Almost all of the ones I've met have a "J" as one of the initials. I've asked a few friends, and so far, anecdotally, it seems that this observation holds true. "J" is of course a…
Carl Manaster
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8
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7 answers

keeping maiden name after marriage

If a woman keeps her maiden name what is the proper way to address her? Mrs, Ms, or Miss? I have seen it done multiple ways, but am unsure what is the proper way.
zompz
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8
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2 answers

What term would you use to indicate a maiden name you weren't born with?

My adopted sister is married and took her husband's name. She includes her former last name (my last name) in parentheses on her work email. In this case, née wouldn't be an accurate designation (although it would be practical). Is there a…
buildsucceeded
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8
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1 answer

Why is there an 'a' at the end of "Crimea"?

With the recent events in Crimea and the Ukraine the name of the peninsula appears a lot in both written and spoken, the a at the end is very conspicuous in the English pronunciation and writing, since there is no a in the Russian or Ukrainian name…
SIMEL
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6
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1 answer

Club's entry - "chain"

What is the name of the "chain" that can be found near club's entry? e.g. http://www.vegasvipservices.com/nightclubs/bank/club-the-bank-entrance.jpg
Lukasz Madon
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6
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4 answers

In the format of A.B. Name, which is the given name and which is the family name?

For example, Bill Henry Gates, which of following is right? Bill H.Gates B.H. Gates H.G. Bill Gates Bill B. Gates H. Gates BHG HGB GHB
Lenik
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6
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4 answers

Objects with no name, like "the Sun"

This morning I was pondering the things in the English language which have not been given a name, such as 'the Sun' or 'the Moon'. These do not seem to fall into the same category as 'the ground' or 'the sky' which seem a lot more spatially vague.…
dave
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